Incidence and evaluation of recovery of neurosensory changes in infraorbital nerve following zygomatic complex fracture

Objective: To evaluate the incidence of neurosensory changes in infraorbital nerve follwoing zygomaticomaxillary complex (ZMC) fractures post-trauma and to evaluate the recovery of neurosensory function subsequent to treatment of ZMC fractures over period of six months. Materials and Method: Twenty five patients with unilateral ZMC fracture were included in the study. Neurosensory function was assessed on affected side in the area of distribution of infraorbital nerve post trauma (pre-operatively) and at 1 week,1 month, 3 months and 6 months post-operatively with Pin Prick Test, Two Point Discrimination Test, Brush Stroke Directional Test, Warm and Cold Test and compared with that on the unaffected side, serving as the control. Results: It was found that neurosensory changes were seen in all the patients with ZMC fractures. The neurosensory recovery occurred within 3 to 6 months in almost all cases. Open reduction and internal skeletal fixation of ZMC fractures accelerated the neurosensory recovery. Conclusion: The present study showed that the neurosensory deficit was present in all cases of ZMC fractures. The study also revealed that Two Point Discrimination Test and Brush Stroke Direction Test were more reliable in terms of assessment of neurosensory deficits compared to other tests. The lateral side of nose showed late recovery among all other anatomical sites.